User Reviews

Weaknesses: Pinch bolts are too small and easily stripped when torqued to factory recommended specifications. I only use quality MAC Tools inch lbs torque wrench.

Bottom Line:

This product was purchased to complement a full XTR groupo with Easton carbon bars. Every part has been selected for top quality construction and materials. The pinch bolts started to strip when torqued for the third time, to Race Face specifications. I immediately removed the stem and took it plus my expensive MAC Tools micro torque wrench to Race Face for inspection as they are local manufactures. The warrantee department replaced the bolts, sent me away and threatened that my warrantee would be void if I returned the stem directly myself. They said warrantee claims would only be considered if sent be a dealer. The bolts failed when the dealer reinstalled the stem and Race Face denied any further claim. Buy a Thompson! I have had mine for quite some time and am extremely satisfied.

Strengths: Killer looks, strength and stiffness, solid clamping on both the handle bar and fork

Weaknesses: none unless your're an extreme weight weenie

Bottom Line:

Great quality product. Stiff, fairly light and looks awesome. I purchased a FSA OS-115 XC stem for my new Burner to shave some weight. But I decided to take the Race Face off the bike that I'll eventually sell and put it on the Burner because it just looks and feels better. I don't care that it weighs a little more because it's a marginal weight gain. Rode with the FSA stem for about 3 months and it performed fine. But the Race Face Deus is absolutely rock solid, inspires confidence and it just looks bad a$$. My stem is black, 120mm, 5deg rise. I have it inverted (5deg decline) for a lower riding profile. Works perfect for me.

Like most of the bolts on my bike I have replaced the steel bolts w/ Ti bolts on the stem. Better strength, less weight and best of all they won't rust like steel bolts. Don't forget the anti-seize compound on the threads if you use Ti bolts.

I hope to get many years of use out of this stem. Definitely a keeper!

I have to laugh at the guy a few thread down who paid over a $100 for the stem. I got it from ebay new for 40. He must have a lot of money to waste.I've used this stem as well as the RF system stems with no problems. Feels rigid, no noises. I think the weightweenies web site has it weighing around 185 grams which is less than thomsons 200. I don't think that I would want a lighter stem for the occassional jumps and drops. I would buy it again.

Weaknesses: The Bar Screws strip too easily? Its Canadian (not that it's bad)

Bottom Line:

Was looking for a longer stem to ease my back. The sales rep at my LBS suggested this over the Thompson Stems because of the bar clamp design prevent wear to the handlebars better than the thompson. I got the high rise one 15%. This has been fantastic so far, I feel much better on long rides. Its very durable in technical singletracks.

Only negative is one of the screws stripped, so I need to get replacement.

initially, i was looking for a replacement system stem from race face in the 75x15degree size. As it turns out, this size was now impossible to find b/c it was a discontinued product. so i read on the website that the deus was capable of light freeride and bought it. to my suprise, it has been a great performer. it is very stiff when doing anything and i put it through all kinds of abuse- drops, dirt jumps, trials, you name it. so far no problems with anything. i would be hard pressed to run any other stem on any of my current or future bikes.

Submitted by
Lance Thibault
a Cross Country Rider
from Coorado Springs, CO

Date Reviewed: August 19, 2004

Strengths: Looks and feels great

Weaknesses: Price and weight

Bottom Line:

I bought it because I kept reading that this was a light stem. Never could find an actual weight listed anywhere at the time. Now it seems to be everywhere. Anyway, as soon as I took off the Specialized stem and had it in my hand I could feel the weight difference. The stock Specialized stem that came on my Epic Comp was lighter then the Deuce.Still put it on the bike because of what I paid for it and because the thing looks so darn good in silver on a silver bike. I will replace it though as soon as I find another nice silver stem that actually is light and doesn't cost $200. ie Extralight UL2. I'll give the Duece 2 chilis for value, since it does look good and feel good, and 2 chilis overall since it didn't meet the main purpose I bought it for.

Submitted by
Dirk Diggler
a Cross Country Rider
from Middle of California

Date Reviewed: June 18, 2004

Strengths: i hear the blue model has pfizer stamped on the side...

GREAT control, no slippage so far

Weaknesses: butter bolts

Bottom Line:

this thing is sweet. it's stiff as hell and looks sexy too... with this and a RF handlebar i get zero flex in the front end department.

main complaint is the butter bolts. i went down to the local hardware shop and bought some high grade, longer, allen bolts to throw in it since i have a knack for over torquing stuff, greased em up and haven't had a problem since. looks a little stupid, but i don't worry about slippage, do you?

overall this is a fantastic piece of gear, do your bike justice, buy it.

I don't know if it makes you ride better on DH or uphill, but I can assure you that the it makes your bike stand out more. You'll get a lot of comments like "dude, what kind of stem is that?" "so that's the deus" "sweet!" If you're still unsure, go buy it. Chicks dig it too.

Price is in £. I have the 90 length. What makes this stem stand out is the the bolting method. To the stearer it has two bolts which oppose each other. The way the the bar clamp is designed is very strong, the clamp interlocks with stem which completly holds the bar with no gaps left at all. This makes sure there is even pressure all around the bar and leaves no weak points. This is also quite a light stem for its strengh. This stem is also the dogs doodles when put with Raceface Next Low Carbon Riser, a light yet super strong combination.

Submitted by
blatido
a Cross Country Rider
from Guadalajara, Jal., MEXICO

Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003

Strengths: Pretty nice looking!

Weaknesses: Haven't found any

Bottom Line:

This is a very good product right out-of-the-box. I cannot say it makes me a better rider, if it's better than Thomson or how to evaluate stiffness, but one thing is for sure: you put in on your bike and you forget about it! Well, at least until someone else looks at your bike and say "Wow! Your stem looks cool!". One of the best stems on the market. Nuff said.

After two bad experiences with Thomson (stripped bolts, had to drill them out) stems, I decided to look at something different. Loved the Thomson, so I needed something comparable. Read the reviews here and gave the RF a shot.

I'm very impressed. Super stiff - same as Thomson. Even better looking. I didn't think I'd find something better, but I did. Give this stem a shot, you won't be disappointed.

Strengths: Light, great clamp for bars, bolts don't stick out that much so your knees feel a little safer.

Weaknesses: The black anodization is kind of weak compared to their cranks.

Bottom Line:

This stem is sweet. Lighter than my Thompson and best of all it doesn't mover around on the steer-tube like the Thompson did. Just as stiff as the Thompson, a little stiffer than the old Bontrager. The clamp for the handlebars is really nice, especially if you have carbon bars because the edges of the clamp mechanism won't dig into the bar when tightening. They did a good job with the placement of the bolts that clamp the steer-tube, they design is pretty smooth and they don't stick out like pungi-sticks. I am really happy with this stem so far, the only downer is the black anodization, it doesn't look as dark-black as the cranks - but then again I should be smacked for such a lame complaint! 4 Chili's for the price because I didn't pay retail, but it's on par with most high end stems.

No creaking or loosening of the allen bolts yet--this thing is tough, ultra-sexy looking, and light. I have the 5 degree 100mm stem, and it's served me well so far. Main competition would be the Thompson Elite, but this one's a bit cheaper than that

Submitted by
Genital Apparatus
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Date Reviewed: June 28, 2003

Strengths: Very cool looking, finishing is awesome, very light but also strong.

Weaknesses: Maybe price, but not for me because I got a really good deal on it...otherwise, no weaknesses

Bottom Line:

Probably the best component I own since I'm sort of a newbie to all of this. Cool looks, excellent manufacturing quality. I'll never forget the name Raceface ever again. Recommend for anyone who can afford it or who gets a good deal on it...Raceface is an excellent manufacturer.

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